Forum Discussion

Buster52's avatar
Buster52
Explorer
Jul 16, 2014

Dometic, Norcold or Atwood

I am replacing my old Dometic RM2804 and am wondering witch frig to replace it with. I first thought about replacing the bad coil. I even ordered a new coil for Canada. Three delivery dates passed with out it even being shipped. So I cancelled to order. Then I though about if there was something else wrong with it I would be putting more money in a old frig. So I started looking at new frig, but witch one to buy. One said they now use Helium, but the hydrogen frig slam it. But they do not use Helium in the frig they sale. No money in that. I am looking at the demotic RM2853, 2862 or 3962. Also the Norcold 1095 is a possibility. Atwood HE-0801 is another one to look at. As witch one would you by and why? Witch one is the best buy?

Thanks
Class A
  • Buster52's avatar
    Buster52
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2014
    Those who want my to go with a home frig, where would I find one that would fit in the hole what to old frig came from? Who many watts of solar and battery storage needed?
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Jul 16, 2014
    1. Norcold, IMO, has the best insulated box and will keep the cold better
    2. Then Dometic
    3. Atwood is brand new to the refer market and they tout helium. I have seem only one so far and Atwood has not made any significant sales to OEM's. The OEM's still prefer Dometic and Norcold. I think of Atwood like I think of Carrier RV AC units. Carrier made a big splash with their 100 years of AC knowledge behind them and then fizzeled out after a few years and dropped the AC and parts from the market. If Atwood does NOT make significant sales, they too will drop the refer from the market and leave a bunch or orphan refers with no parts. Doug
  • DSDP_Don's avatar
    DSDP_Don
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2014
    Buster....I'm a fan of residential refers when it comes to replacing a LARGE Dometic or the problematic Norcold, in larger rigs. I replaced the Norcold in my previous coach, but when it comes to the smaller two door refers I would replace it with the same model. Most Dometic's have a replacement model that fits into the same opening and uses the same connections as the one you have. The smaller ones really work well.
  • We_Cant_Wait's avatar
    We_Cant_Wait
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2014
    x3 Go Residential, depending on current inverter you might not need to change it or add additional batteries. If you Boondock a LOT then yes add more batteries and upgrade inverter. For us we only turn on the inverter to run the fridge if we are going someplace that requires an overnight stop. The fridge stays cold for 8-10 hrs without running if kept closed.
  • John_S_'s avatar
    John_S_
    Explorer II
    Jul 16, 2014
    Went residential too. Best decision I made. Runs fine on the inverter and the batteries.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jul 16, 2014
    Hi,

    I would not replace with another absorption fridge. I'd go residential, with an inverter and some solar panels.

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